Monday, 21 August 2017

August 31st. Heavy rain in afternoon.
On Jackson's Marsh were 8 Spoonbill, 2 Grey Heron and a Little Stint; and on Tennyson's Sands 3 Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank. Around, including birds trapped, were 750 Sandwich Tern, 11 Arctic Tern, a Greenshank and a Wheatear. Flying south were a Great Skua, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 25 Swallow, 30 Sand Martin, 20 House Martin and a Yellow Wagtail; and east 12 Black-tailed Godwit.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 20 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, 2 Robin, 3 Whitethroat, a Wheatear, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 5 Linnet and 2 Blue Tit; and 7 retraps: a Robin, 4 Whitethroat, a Wren and a Blue Tit.

Greenland Wheatear, ringed 31st August 2017.Photo - George Gregory

August 30th. On Jackson's Marsh were 14 Spoonbill, 84 Little Egret , a Grey Heron and a Kingfisher; and on Tennyson's Sands a Little Gull. On the beach or offshore were an adult Roseate Tern, 400 Sandwich Tern, 30 Common Tern, 3 Arctic Tern, a Red-throated Diver and 10 Arctic Skua. Birds around included a Wheatear, 600 Swallow and 650 House Martin. Going north was a Black Tern.

August 29th. On Jackson's Marsh were 12 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, a Green Sandpiper and 11 Snipe. Around, including birds trapped, were a Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Garden Warbler and 2 Goldcrest. Heading southwest were 6 Meadow Pipit, 500 Swallow, 100 House Martin and 100 Sand Martin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 21 new birds: a Goldcrest, 3 Willow Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, 4 Robin, a Blackcap, 2 Linnet, a Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, a Garden Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and 4 Dunnock; and 3 retraps: 2 Wren and a Dunnock.August 28th. On Jackson's Marsh were 16 Spoonbill and a Little Stint. Birds around included a Marsh Harrier, a Mediterranean Gull, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Whinchat, a Wheatear, 4 House Sparrow and a Siskin. Flying south were 5 Common Buzzard, 2 Whimbrel, 23 Curlew, a Hobby, a Grey Wagtail, 60 Swallow, 15 House Martin and 3 Sand Martin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 6 new birds: 2 Wren, 2 Willow Warbler, a Reed Warbler and a Whitethroat; and 7 retraps: a Whitethroat, a Wren, a Robin, 3 Dunnock and a Blackcap.

Spoonbill, 28th August 2017.Photo - Paul Neale

Spoonbill, 28th August 2017.Photo - Paul Neale

Black-tailed Godwits, 28th August 2017.Photo - Paul Neale

Whimbrel , 28th August 2017.Photo - Paul Neale

August 27th. On Jackson's Marsh were 12 Spoonbill, 75 Little Egret, a juvenile Little Stint, 2 Common Sandpiper and 25 Dunlin. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, 70000 Knot, a Greenshank, a Wheatear, a Yellow Wagtail and 4 Swallow. Going south were 8 Tree Sparrow.
The twelfth and final session of CES was done this morning. The 14 new birds were 4 Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Robin, 3 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat and 3 Dunnock. The 3 retraps were a Wren, a Blackcap and a Dunnock.
Insects included a Willow Emerald Damselfly.

Willow Emerald Damselfly, 27th August 2017.Photo - Sam Wilson

Willow Emerald Damselfly, 27th August 2017.Photo - Sam Wilson

Sanderling, 27th August 2017.Photo - Rob Watson

Speckled Wood, 27th August 2017.Photo - Rob Watson

Muntjac, 27th August 2017.Photo - Paul Neale

Cormorant, 27th August 2017.Photo - Paul Neale

Spoonbills, 27th August 2017.Photo - Paul Neale

Spoonbills, 27th August 2017.Photo - Paul Neale

August 26th. On Jackson's Marsh were 19 Spoonbill, a juvenile Little Stint, a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper; and on Tennyson's Sands a Water Rail, 3 Common Sandpiper and a Kingfisher. Birds around included a Marsh Harrier, 70000 Knot, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear and 2 Whinchat. Heading south were 7 Swallow and 70 Tree Sparrow; and north 2 Black Tern.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Chris Hansell, provided 26 new birds: 4 Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, a Wren, a Sedge Warbler, a Linnet, 2 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, 6 Whitethroat, a Robin, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 12 retraps: 4 Dunnock, 3 Robin, a Wren, 3 Whitethroat and a Great Tit.

August 25th. On Jackson's Marsh were 18 Spoonbill, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, a Ruff and 49 Little Egret; and on Tennyson's Sands a Snipe, 2 Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper and 150 Black-tailed Godwit. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Greenshank, a Yellow-legged Gull, 15 Yellow Wagtail, a Wheatear and a Tree Sparrow. Flying south were 3 Swift, 740 Swallow, 8 Sand Martin, 38 House Martin, a Tree Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail and 3 Tree Sparrow; and west 4 Grey Heron.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 30 new birds: 12 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 3 Robin, 5 Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler and a Song Thrush; and 6 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock and a Robin.

August 23rd. Around were 16 Spoonbill, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 4 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 5 Snipe, a Crossbill and a Bullfinch. Heading south were a Swift and 60 Swallow.
A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: singles of Wren, Robin, Whitethroat and Swallow; and a retrap Dunnock.August 22nd. A White-rumped Sandpiper was discovered at Greenshanks Creek early morning. Later it flew off south. Birds around included 20 Spoonbill (a reserve record), 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 2 Snipe and a Green Woodpecker. Flying south were a Velvet Scoter, 4 Swift, 5 Sand Martin, 15 House Martin and 120 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes was disappointing. The 3 new birds were a Wren, a Linnet and a Swallow; and the 6 retraps were a Great Tit, a Dunnock, 2 Blackcap, a Wren and a Willow Warbler.

White-rumped Sandpiper, 22nd August 2017.Photo - James Siddle

White-rumped Sandpiper, 22nd August 2017.Photo - James Siddle

White-rumped Sandpiper, 22nd August 2017.Photo - James Siddle

August 21st. Around were 10 Spoonbill, a Common Buzzard, a Water Rail, a Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, a Mediterranean Gull, a Treecreeper, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Whinchat. Going south were 2 Whimbrel, 6 Sand Martin, 3 House Martin and 55 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 12 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Robin, 2 Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat and a Linnet; and 7 retraps: 2 Wren, 2 Dunnock, a Linnet, a Willow Warbler and a Blackcap.

Friday, 11 August 2017

August 20th. On Jackson's Marsh were 15 Spoonbill, 149 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Greenshank. Around, including birds trapped, were a Wheatear, a Whinchat, 14 House Sparrow, a Yellowhammer and a Tree Pipit. Heading south were 5 Whimbrel, a Sand Martin, 3 House Martin and 5 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 53 new birds: 42 Willow Warbler, 2 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Tree Pipit, a Whinchat, 2 Meadow Pipit and a Yellowhammer; and 3 retraps: a Willow Warbler, a Wren and a Dunnock.

Spoonbills, 20th August 2017. Photo - Rob Watson

Tree Pipit, ringed 20th August 2017.Photo - George Gregory

Whinchat, ringed 20th August 2017.Photo - George Gregory

Ivy-leaved Toadflax, 20th August 2017.Photo - Rob Watson

Male Common Darter, 20th August 2017.Photo - Rob Watson

August 19th. On Jackson's Marsh were 6 Spoonbill, a Wood Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper and 2 Greenshank. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Mediterranean Gull, 6 Whimbrel, a Hobby, a Tree Pipit and a Garden Warbler. Flying south were a Yellow-legged Gull, a Swift, 8 House Martin, 4 Sand Martin and 7 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 32 new birds: 19 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Linnet, a Sedge Warbler, a Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, a Reed Bunting and a Dunnock; and 4 retraps: singles of Linnet, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Willow Warbler.August 18th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
Around were 2 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, a Kingfisher, 2 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were 42 Arctic Skua, 20 Gannet, 4 Arctic Tern, 80 Common Tern, 3 Great Crested Grebe, a Hobby and 8 Swift.
A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler and a Blackcap; and 3 retraps: a Blackcap and 2 Great Tit.August 17th. Rain overnight until late morning.
Birds around included 8 Spoonbill, a Grey Heron, a Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 13 Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Spotted Redshank, 5 Kestrel, a Kingfisher, a Spotted Flycatcher and 12 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were a Whimbrel, 72 Swift and a Tree Pipit.August 16th. Around were 14 Spoonbill, an eclipse male Garganey, 6 Golden Plover, 2 adult Curlew Sandpiper, 13 Snipe, a Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 15 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Hobby, a Peregrine, a Kingfisher and 5 Yellow Wagtail. Flying south were 21 Golden Plover, 55 Swallow and 5 Sand Martin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 15 new birds: 6 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin and a Reed Warbler; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Great Tit.August 15th. Birds around included 10 Spoonbill, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Red Kite, a Wood Sandpiper,7 Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, 6 Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, 6 Swift, 100 House Martin, a Wheatear, 2 Tree Sparrow and 12 Yellow Wagtail. A Great Skua flew inland over Jackson's Marsh.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 8 new birds: 2 Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Reed Bunting, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat and a Linnet; and 5 retraps: a Linnet, 2 Dunnock and 2 Whitethroat.

August 14th. Around were 14 Spoonbill, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Snipe, a Kingfisher and 7 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were a Swift, a Turtle Dove and 15 Swallow.
The eleventh session of CES was done this morning. The 36 new birds were 7 Wren, 13 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Sedge Warbler, a House Martin, 3 Swallow, 2 Blackbird and a Woodpigeon. The 5 retraps were a Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Chiffchaff and 2 Dunnock.
A Silver-washed Fritillary was found in the Plantation.

August 13th. Birds around included 14 Spoonbill, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Greenshank, 4 Spotted Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper, 220 Black-tailed Godwit, 50000 Knot, a Kingfisher, a Peregrine, 4 Wheatear, 2 Treecreeper and 30 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 8 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 13 new birds: a Wren, 4 Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Whitethroat and 5 Starling; and 2 retraps: a Robin and a Dunnock.

August 11th. Birds around included 11 Spoonbill, 3 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper and a Kingfisher. Going south were 2 Turtle Dove, a Hobby, 6 House Martin and 3 Sand Martin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 34 new birds: 5 Wren, 14 Willow Warbler, a Long-tailed Tit, 3 Linnet, 3 Robin, 2 Reed Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 12 retraps: a Robin, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Wren, 5 Long-tailed Tit and 2 Great Tit.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 10 new birds: 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, a Linnet, a Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a House Sparrow; and 1 retrap: a Robin.

August 4th. Around were 7 Spoonbill, a Red Kite, a Marsh Harrier, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 1800 Sandwich Tern, 50 Gannet, 33 Whimbrel and a Greenshank. Heading north was an Osprey; and south were 1000 Swift, 35 Sand Martin and 14 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 6 Willow Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, a Linnet and a Whitethroat; and 3 retraps: a Willow Warbler, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

August 1st. Birds around included 10 Spoonbill, 250 Common Scoter, a Marsh Harrier, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 1500 Sandwich Tern, 12 Arctic Skua, a Guillemot, 3 Whimbrel, 210 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Greenshank, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, a juvenile Wheatear, 2 Treecreeper, a Garden Warbler and a Crossbill. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Green Sandpiper and 150 Redshank; and on Jackson's Marsh a Turnstone. Heading south were 2 Great Crested Grebe, 34 Swift, 35 Sand Martin, 47 Swallow, a Grey Wagtail and 3 Yellow Wagtail.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 12 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, a Wren, a Robin, a Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 6 retraps: a Song Thrush, a Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Chiffchaff and 2 Dunnock.

Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve and Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory are managed and run by The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (LWT). Ringing at the Bird Observatory is carried out by LWT volunteers, whilst daily recording of birds, moths and other wildlife is carried out by LWT Wardens, the Bird Observatory Team, volunteers and visitors. Bird ringing started at Gibraltar Point in 1949 and has continued to this day, with over 200,000 new birds ringed by a large number of both local and visiting ringers. The present Group Leader (Ringer in Charge) of the Bird Observatory is George Gregory, and the Secretary is Michael Polling. This site is written by the Bird Observatory Team, and contains news of bird sightings and bird ringing, along with news of other wildlife on the reserve. Please check back regularly and we shall endeavour to keep you informed of our activities. Above all, please enjoy our Observatory Blog.